Garment or ironing press



l, E. DAVIS I Q GARMENT on momma PRESS Filed Aug'. 27, 1,930 4 Sheets-Sheet 1 INVENTOR.

ATTORNEYS.

May 1, 1934. E. DAVIS 1,957,259

GARMENT OR IRONING PRESS Filed Aug. 27, 1950 4 Sheets-Sheet 2 INVENTOR.

A TTORNEYS,

May 1, V E DAV|S GARMENT OR IRONING.PRESS Filed Aug. 27, 1930 4 Sheets-Sheet 5 A m W IN! ENTOR.

m M 11M Mv W ATTORNEYS.

May 1, 1934. E. DAVIS 1,957,250

GARMENT on momma mass Filed Aug. 27, 1930 4 Sheets-Sheet 4 3 8/ .2 4 y 7a a INVENTOR.

BYEMQ/J" m/ ATTOR EYS.

Patented May 1, 1934 UNITED STATES GARMENT on IRONING PRESS Ernest Davis, Syracuse, N. Y., assignor to The Prosperity Company, Inc., Syracuse, N. Y., a corporation of New York Application August 27, 1930, Serial No. 478,123

8 Claims.

This invention relates to pressing machines and particularly to pressing machines in which the various operations are performed by automatic means.

The principal object of the invention is to provide a pressing machine, such as a garment or laundry or ironing press, with automatic means for performing the various functions in any desired sequence. A further object is to provide a pressing machine having means for steaming a garment and automatic mechanism for controlling the steaming means. A further object of the invention is to provide automatic r mechanism for applying final heavy pressure to the pressing elements or jaws after the steaming operation. A further object of the invention is to provide means for blowing air through one of the pressing elements or jaws and automatic mechanism for operating the air blowing means.

. A further object of the invention is to provide a pressing machine having means for steaming a garment, for applying final heavy pressure to the pressing elements after the steaming operation, M for reducing the pressure on the pressing elements or jawsfrom-heavy to light pressure, and

for blowing air through one of the pressing elements after the pressure between the pressing elements is thus reduced. A further object of 0 the invention is to provide time controlled mechanism for operating any or all of the means above-mentioned and to provide adjusting means for regulating the relative time when each of said time control means will become effective and the period during which said time controlled means will remain effective.

A further object of the invention is to provide a pressing machine having automatic means for performing the various functions, above described, and having auxiliary operator-operated devices for performing each of said functions and means for rendering the automatic control means inoperative. A further object of the invention is to provide means for rendering any one of the automatic means inoperative without affecting the operation of the other automatic means.

Other objects and advantages will appear and will be pointed out as the description proceeds.

The invention consists in the novel features and in the combinations and constructions hereinafter set forth and claimed.

In describing this invention reference is had to the accompanying drawings in which like characters designate corresponding parts in all the views.

Figure 1 is a side elevation of a pressing machine to which my invention is applied.

Figure 2 is a schematic showing, mostly in section, of the operating control mechanism of the press shown in Figure 1.

Figure 3 is a perspective view, partly in section, of the control valves for controlling one of the operations of the pressing machine, and of the timing mechanism for operating the control valve.

Figure 4 is a section through the timing mechanism shown in Figure 3.

.Figure 5 is a perspective view showing all of the automatic control means together with the master clutch and driving mechanism.

Figure 6 is a side elevation of a part of the timing mechanism shown in Figures 3 and 4 when viewed from the right;

Figure 7 is a view of a part of the timing mechanism shown in Figures 3 and 4 when viewed from the left.

Figure 8 is a diagrammatic view showingthe operation of the timing mechanism of Figures 3 and 4.

Figure 9 is a diagrammatic view similar to Figure 8 but showing the parts in different positions.

Figure 10 is a fragmentary elevation, mostly in section, of the. steaming and air flow control valves.

Figure 11 is a top plan view of the top steaming control manual shown in Figure 10.

Press actuating mechanism The invention is designed primarily for use with pressing machines having an opening and closing movement and having a head or movable .jaw 11 secured to a yoke 12 whichis pivotally mounted at 13 on an upstanding portion of a pressing machine frame 14. The pressing head 11 is moved into and out of contact with a fixed pressing element or buck 15 to close and open the press. ported on a neck 16 which is mounted on the pressing machine frame 14. The yoke 12 is moved into position to initially close the press under light pressure by a fluid motor 20 which is mounted for oscillation on the pressing machine frame at 21 and is provided with a piston rod 22 which is pivotally connected at 23 with the yoke 12. Final heavy pressure is applied to the pressing elements or jaws by a toggle which includes links 25 and 26 which are pivotally con- The buck or stationary jaw 15 is sup- I nected at 27. The link 25 is pivotally connected at 28 to the yoke 12, and the link 26 is pivotally connected at 29 to a link 30 which is pivotally connected at 31' to the pressing machine frame 14. The toggle, composed of links 25 and 26, will be moved toward straightened position when the fluid motor 20 closes the press under initial light pressure, but final straightening of the toggle is efiecte'd by a pull link 32 which is pivotally connected at 38 with the link 26. The pull link 32 is pivotally connected-at 34 with a piston rod 35 of a fluid motor 36 which is oscillatably mounted at 37 on the pressing machine frame 14. The pull link is guided by a cam follower 40 which is mounted thereon and which operates in a cam slot 41 formed in the cam member 42. A spring 44 which is connected at one end to the yoke- 12 and at the other end to the pressingmachine frame 14 normally holds the press in open position. An auxiliary spring 45 may be provided between the pull link 32 and the pressing machine frame 14. The mechanism thus far described is of the conventional and forms no part of the present invention.

Control of preliminary closing by operator 57 which are connected together by a spacer rod 58 so that they operate as a unit. A spring 59 holds the valves 56 and 57 in normal position and the exhaust valve 57 is provided with a valve stem 60 which extends through the end or the valve casing 55 and into contact with the cross member 54. The upper end of the valve casing contains a normally open exhaust valve 62 having a valve stem 63 which projects through the end of the valve casing 55 and into contact with the cross member 54. The exhaust valves 5'7 and 62 control the escape of working fluid from the valve casing 55 through an exhaust port 65.

Working fluid to operate the press is supplied through a fluid supply line 67 which connects with the valve casing 55 in. front of the intake valve 56. A pipe 68 connects the valve casing 55, at a point midway between the valves 56 and 57, with the fluid motor 20. The fluid motor 20 includes a cylinder 70 having a piston '11 therein which is rigidly secured to the piston rod 22. The cylinder 70 is provided with a port 73 in the side wall thereof near the end of the stroke of the piston 71. The port '73 communicates witli a port line 75, the purpose of which will be explained hereinafter.

When the operator depresses the foot lever 50 the valves in the valve casing 55 will be operated to open the intake valve 56 and 010% the exhaust valves 57 and 62. The purpose of the exhaust valve 62 will be explained in connection with the operation of the fluid motor 36. when the intake valve 56 is thus opened, working fluid will flow from the fluid supply line 67, around the open intake valve 56, through the valve casing 55, and pipe 68, to the cylinder '10 of the fluid motor 20 to operate the piston 71 and piston rod '12 to close the press under initial light pressure, as previously explained.

Manual control of steaming operation A valve '78 ismountedonthetopot the pressing head 11 in the conventional manner. This valve is operated to spray steam when the valve stem 79 is moved to the right in Figure 2. A plunger 80 operates the valve stem 79 and manual means such as a handle 81 are provided for operating the pllmger 80. Rocking movement of the handle 81 in a counter-clockwise direction, in Figure 2, will move the plunger 80 to operate the valve stem "19 to spray steam at any time. A spring 82 normally holds the valve 78 closed. The manual steaming control means, above described, is of -a conventional type, well understood by those skilled in the art.

Manual control of heavy pressure Means are provided by which the operator may manually control the application of iinal heavy pressure to the pressing elements and such control means are preferably of the two-hand control type. A valve casing 84 contains a normally closed intake valve 85 and a normally open exhaust valve 86 which are connected together by aspacerrodB'l so thattheyoperate asaunit. A spring 88 holds the valves 85 and 86 in normal position. The exhaust valve 86 is provided with a valve stem 89 which projects through the end of the valve casing 84. A handle 90 is pivotally mounted on the valve casing 84 and is formed with an arm 91 which contacts with the valve stem 89 so that depressing of the handle 90 will operate the valves in the valve casing 84 to open the intake valve 85 and close the exhaust valve 86. A valve casing 94 contains a normally closed check valve 95 and a normally open exhaust valve 96. A spring 98 holds the check valve 95 normally closed. The exhaust valve 96 is provided with a valve stem 99 which projects through the end of the valve casing 94.- A handle 100 is pivotallymountedonthevalvecasing94and is formed with an arm 101 which contacts with the valve stem 99 so that depression of the handle 100 will close the exhaust valve 96. This twohand control is of the conventional type and mounted on the head with the handle 90 located in convenient position for operation by the right hand of the operator and the handle 100 located in convenient position for operation by the left hand of the operator.

The valve casing 84 is connected by a pipe 105 with the fluid supply line 6'7. A pipe 106 connects the valve casing 84 with the valve casing 94 and a pipe 10'! connects the valve casing 94 with a diaphragm chamber 109 of a valve casing 110.

The valve casing 110 contains a normally closed intake valve and a normally open exhaust valve 116 which are connected together by a spacer rod 11'! so that they operate as a unit. A spring 118 holds the valves 115 and 116 in normal position. The exhaust valve 116 is provided with a valve stem 119 which projects through the end of the valve casing 110. The diaphragm chamber 109 contains a diaphragm 120, and a. plunger 121 which extends through the end of the diaphragm chamber 109 and is operated by the diaphragm 120, when pressure is applied behind the diaphragm, to move a rocker arm 123 which transmits motion of the plunger 121 to the valve stem 119 to operate the valves in the valve casing 110 to open the intake valve 115and close the exhaust valve 116.

Working fluid from the fluid supply line 67 is supplied through a pipe 125, pressure regulating valve 126, and pipe 127, to the valve casing 110. The valve 126 determines the maximum pressure be suppliedto the pipe 127 and may be adjusted to regulate the amount of such pressure. The pressure regulating valve 126 is of conventional construction and is therefore shown diagrammatically in Figure 2,

135 is provided in the pipe 132 to prevent working fluid from flowing back from the fluid motor 36 to the valve casing 110. The pipe 133 connects with the valve casing 55 and the exhaust valve 62 controls the escape of working fluid from the pipe 133 through the valve casing 55 and exhaust port 65.

When the operator wishes to apply final heavy pressure to the pressing elements he will depress the handles 90 and 100. Depression of the handle 90 will open the intake valve and close the exhaust valve 86. Working fluid from the fluid supply line 67 will flow through the pipe 105, around the open intake valve 85, through the valve casing 84, and pipe 106, to the valve casing 94. If the handle 100 were not depressed to close the exhaust valve 96, working fluid would escape from the valve casing 94 around the open exhaust valve 96 and no pressure could build up in the valve casing 94. It is therefore, impossible for the operator to apply final heavy pressure by depressing only one of the control handles and 100. If the handles 90 and 100 are depressed at. the same time, working fluid entering the valve casing 94 through the pipe 106 will build up pressure in the valve casing 94 and will open the check valve 95 and flow past the check valve 95, and through the pipe 107, to the diaphragm .chamber 109 to actuate the diaphragm 120 and plunger 121 to operate the valves in the valve casing 110. When the valves in the valve casing 110 are thus operated, the intake valve will be open and the exhaust valve 116 will be closed so that working fluid from the fluid supply line 67 may flow through the pipe 125, pressure regulating valve 126, pipe 127, around the open intake valve 115, through the valve casing 110, pipe 132 and check valve 135, and pipe 133, to the fluid motor 36. If the exhaust valve 62 is open, working fluid may escape from the pipe 133 through the valve casing 55 and exhaust port 65,

thus preventing the building up of pressure in the pipe 133. The exhaust valve 62 will be closed if the press has been closed under initial light pressure, as previously described and the operator is holding the foot pedal 50 depressed. The exhaust valve 62 makes it necessary, therefore, that the operator actuate the control mechanism for closing the press under initial light pressure before operating the control devices for ap- Manual control of press opening The operator may open the press at any time by releasing the foot lever 50 so that the spring 59 may close the intake valve 56. and open the exhaust valve 57, and the working fluid pressure drawings.

in the pipe 133 may open the exhaust valve 62.

Working fluid from the motor 36 will exhaust through the pipe 133, past the exhaust valve 62, and through valve casing 55, and exhaust port 65. Working fluid from the motor 20 will exhaust through the pipe 68, valve 60, valve casing 55, and exhaust port 65. When the pressure in both motors is thus reduced, the springs 44 and 45 will move the press into described.

Manual control of air blowing Means are provided for blowing air through one of the pressing elements such as the lower buck 15. Such means include a blower which is connected by a pipe 148 with the buck 15. A valve 150 is placed in the pipe 148 to control the flow of air therethrough. Pressure operated means 151 are provided for actuating the valve 150. The pressure actuated means 151 are of the double diaphragm type commonly used on pressing machines, and Well understood by those skilled in the art. Such pressure operated means are therefore shown diagrammatically in the Both of the diaphragms of the pressure operated means 151 are operated when working fluid under pressure is supplied through a pipe 153 which connects with a valve casing 154. Operation of either or both of the diaphragms of the pressure operated means'151 moves a plunger 152 upwardly and operates rack and pinion motion transmitting mechanism (Figure 10) to open the valve 150. The valve casing 154 contains a normally closed intake valve 155 and a normally open exhaust valve 156 which are connected together by spacer rod 157 so that they operate as a A spring 158' holds the valves 155 and 156 in normal position. The exhaust valve 156 is formed with a valve stem 159, which projects through the end of the valve casing 154. A rocker arm 160 is pivotally mounted on the valve casing 154 and is operated by a bell crank 162 which transmits motion from a push button 163 to the rocker arm 160 and through the rocker arm 160 to the valve stem 159 to operate the valves in the valve casing 154 to open the intake valve 155 and close the exhaust valve 156. The valves 155 and 156 are of the self-locking type, and this locking is obtained by providing a diaphragm chamber 165 containing a diaphragm 166 which operates a plunger 167 extending through the end of the diaphragm chamber 165. Whenever the valves 155 and 156 are operated, working fluid will pass through a duct 170 into the diaphragm chamber 165 to apply pressure behind the diaphragm 166 and move the plunger 167 into position to hold the rocker arm 160 and valves 155 and 156 in operated position. Working fluid is supplied from the fluid supply line 67 to the valve casing 154 through a pipe 175.

When the operator wishes to blow air he will depress the, push button 163 and operate the valves in the valve casing 154 to open the intake valve 155 and close the exhaust valve 166. -Working fluid from the fluid supply line 67 will flow through the pipe around the open intake valve 155 through the valve casing 154, and pipe 153 to the pressure operated means 151 to actuate the same to open the valve 150 and permit air to flow through the pipe 148 to the buck 15.

As soon as the valves 155 and 156 are operated, working fluid will flow through the duct 170 into the diaphragm chamber 165 and lock the valves open position, as previously 155 and 156 in operated position, as previously described. It is not necessary, therefore, that the operator hold the push button 163 depressed. When the operator wishes to stop the blowing of air through the buck 15, he may do so by operating a handle 178 which opens an exhaust valve 179 in a valve casing 180 which is connected by pipe 182 with the diaphragm chamber 165. The exhaust valve 179 is normally held closed by spring 183 but when it is opened by operation of the handle 178 working fluid from the diaphragm chamber 165 will escape through the' pipe 182, valve casing 180, and around the open exhaust valve 179. The cross section of the duct 170 is such that working fluid will escape faster through the pipe 182 and valve casing 180 than it is supplied to the diaphragm chamber 165 through the duct 170. Pressure in the diaphragm chamber 165 will therefore drop, thus permitting the spring 4 158 to close the intake valve 155 and open the exhaust valve 156. When the intake valve 155 is thus closed, the supply of working fluid to the pressure operated means 151 is cut off and working fluid will (scape from the pressure operated means 151 through the pipe 153, valve casing 154, and past the open exhaust valve 156. The pressure operated means 151 will thus return to normal position and close the valve 150 to stop the blowing of air through the pipe 148.

Control for automatic operation After the press has been closed under initial light pressure, the operator may set the automatic control mechanism into operation to perform all other functions of the press. The automatic mechanism is set in operation by a control handle 185 which is rigidly secured to a rocker arm 186. The rocker arm 186 is pivotally mounted on a valve casing 188 which contains a normally closed intake valve 189 and a normally open exhaust valve 190 which are secured to a spacer rod 191 so that they operate as a unit. A spring 193 holds the valves 189 and 190 in normal position; The exhaust valve 190 is provided with a valve stem 195 which projects through the end of the valve casing 188 into contact with the rocker arm 186. A diaphragm chamber 197 formed on the upper part-of the valve casing 188 contains a diaphragm 200 which operates a plunger 201 which extends through the end of the diaphragm chamber 197 and contacts with the rocker arm 186 to hold the same in operated position, when pressure is applied behind the diaphragm 200. The valves 189 and 190 are cf. the self-locking type, a duct 203 being provided and extending from the interior of the valve casing 188 between the valves and the diaphragm chamber 197 so that whenever the valves 189 and 190 are operated, working fluid will flow through the duct 203 to apply pressure behind the diaphragm 200 and move the plunger 201 to lock the rocker arm 186 and the valves 189 and 190 in operated position. Working fluid is supplied to the valve casing 188 through a pipe 205 which connects the port line 75 with the valve casing 188. Anoriflce'iOfiis provided in the pipe 205 for reasons which will be explained hereinafter. It will be apparent that operation of the handle 185 and the valves in the valve casing 188 will have no efiect until after the press ha closed under initial light pressure and the piston 71 has uncovered the port 73 to admit working fluid through the port 73 and port line 75 to the pipe 205.

After the press is closed under initial light pressure and the piston 71 has uncovered the menace port 73, workingfluid will flow from the cylinder 70 of the, .fillld motor 20, through theport opening 73, port line 75, pipe 205, around the open intake valve 189, through the valve casing 188, and through a pipe 207 which supplies working fluid to a cylinder 208. The cylinder 208 contains a piston 209 which is rigidly secured to a piston rod 210. The piston rod 210 extends through the end of the cylinder 208. When working fluid issupplied to the cylinder 208 the piston 209 and piston rod 210 will move to bring the piston rod 210 into contact with the cross member 54 to lock the valves in the valve casing 55 inoperated position with the intake valve open and the exhaust valves 57 and 62 closed. After the valves in the valve casing 55 are thus locked in position, it"is no longer necessary for the operator to hold thefoct lever 50 depressed.

The cylinder 208 is provided with a port opening 212' in theside wall thereof and in such position that the piston 209, when moving the piston rod 210 into position to lock the valves in the valve casing 55 in operated position, will uncover the port 212 and permit working fluid to flow through said port into a pipe 213 which leads to a diaphragm chamber 214 having a diaphragm 215therein which operates a plunger 216 to engage the master clutch which will be later described under the heading of Driving mechanism for timer shaft. A cut-off valve 220 is provided in the pipe 213 and this valve 220 will be in closed position when the press is to be manually operated, and in open position when the press is to be operated automatically.

No packing is provided around the piston rod 210 where it passes through the end of the cylinder 208. Leakage of air around the piston rod 210 prevents the cylinder 208 from becoming air bound and also allows air to escape from the pipe 213 after the piston 209 has moved to the left past the port 212. The spring 59, which normally holds the valve 56 closed, is sufficiently strong to move the piston 209 back toward the left end of the cylinder 208 after the cylinder is open to exhaust.

Automatic control of steaming operation The steaming operation may be controlled automatically by a timer 222 which will be described in detail under the heading Timers for automatic operation. The timer 222 operates the valves in a valve casing 224 which contains a normally closed intake valve 225 and a normally open exhaust valve 226 which are connected together by a spacer rod 227 so that they operate as a unit. A'spring 228 holds the valves 225 and 226 in normal position. The exhaust valve 226 is formed with a valve stem 229 which projects through the end of the valve casing 224' and the timer 222 operates against the end of the valve stem 229 to operate the valves 225 and 226 in the valve casing 224.

When the timer 222 operates to open the intare'vawe 225 and close the exhaust valve 226, working fluid from the fluid supply line 67 will flow through the pipe 175, branch pipe 232, around the open intake valve 225, through the valve casing 224, and through a pipe 233 to a cylinder 234. The cylinder 234 contains a piston 235" which is rigidly connected to a piston rod 236. When working fluid is supplied to the cylinder 234, the piston 235 and piston rod 236 will move downwardly against an arm 237 and move the same to operate the handle 81 and plunger 80 to spray steam through the pressing head 11, as previously described.

' The pipe 233 is provided with a branch pipe 240 which" leads to pressure operated means 241 ywhich controls the spraying of steam through the lower pressing element or buck 15. The'pressure operated. means 241 is of the double diaphragm type, as previously described in connection'with the pressure operated means 151. Upward movement of either of the diaphragms in the pressure operated means 241 will lift a valve stem 238 and open a valve 239 which controls the blowing of steam through the lower pressing element or buck 15. A spring 243 normally holds the valve 239 in closed position.

Steam will continue to spray through the pressing elements as long as working fluid pressure is maintained in-the cylinder 2 34 and pressure operated means 241. The timer 222 will maintain this pressure so long as it'holds the intake-valve 225 open. The timer 222 may be adjusted, in a manner later to be described, to hold the valve 225 open for any desired length of time. When the timer 222 permits the spring 228 to return the valves in the valve casing 224 to normal position with the intake valve 225 closed and the exhaust valve 226 open, the supply of working fluid to the pipe 233 will be cut off and working fluid in the cylinder 234 and pressure operated means 241 may exhaust through the pipes 233 and 240, valve casing 224, and past the open exhaust valve 226. When the pressure in the cylinder 234 and in the pressure operated means 241 is thus reduced, the valves controlling the spraying of steam through the pressing elements will return to normal closed position and the spraying of steam will stop.

Automatic control of heavy pressure Heavy pressure may be automatically applied by means of a timer 242 which operates the valves in a valve casing 244. The valves in the valve casing 244 are identical-in construction and operation with the valves in the valve casing 224 and are designated by the same reference characters.

Working fluid is supplied to the valve casing 244 through a pipe 245 which connects with the pipe 127. The valve casing 244 is connected by a pipe 247 with the pipe 133 which connects with the cylinder 140 of the fluid motor 36. A cut-off valve 249 is inserted in the pipe 247 and this cut-oii valve 249 will be closed when the press is operated manually and will be opened when the press is to be operated automatically. When the timer 242 operates the valves in the valve casing 244 to open the intake valve 225 and close the exhaust valve 226, working fluid will flow from the fluid supply line 67, through the pipe 125,

' closed and the exhaust valve 226 open. When the valves are thus returned to normal position, the supply of working fluid to the fluid motor 36 is out off and working fluid may exhaust from the cylinder 140- of the fluid motor 36 through the pipe 133, pipe 247 and cut-ofi valve 249, valve 244 is opened therefore, the heavy pressure on the pressing elements is removed.

Automatic control of air flow.

The air flow through the buck 15 may be controlled automatically by the timer 252 which operates the valves in a valve casing 254. This air flow may be either suction or flowing. The valves in the valve casing 254 are identical in constructron and operation with the valves in the valve casings 224 and 244 andare designated by the same reference characters. The valve casing 254 is connected, by a branch pipe 255, with the pipe 175 which leads from the fluid supply line 67. A pipe 256 connects the valve casing 254 with the pressure operated means 151 which operates the yiilgve 150 to control the air flow through the pipe When the timer 252 operates the valves in the valve casing 254 to open the intake valve 225 and close the exhaust valve 226, working fluid will flow from the fluid supply line 67, through 100 the pipe 175, pipe 255, around theopen intake valve 225, through the valve casing 254 and pipe 256, to the pressure operated means 151 to operate the same to open the valve 150 and permit air to blow through the pipe 148.

The valve 150 will remain open and theair blowing will continue as long as the timer 252 holds the intake valve 225 in the valve casing 254 open and thus maintains working fluid pressure on the pressure operated means 151. The timer 252 may be adjusted, in a manner later to be described, to determine the period during which the'valve 150 will remain open. When the timer 252 permits the spring 228 to return the valves in the valve casing 254 to normal position with the intake valve 225 closed and the exhaust valve 226 open, the supply of working fluid to the pipe 256 and pressure operated means 151 will be out oil and working fluid in the pressure operated means 151 will exhaust through the pipe 256, valve casing 254, and past the open exhaust valve 226. When the pressure in the pressure operated means 151 is thus reduced the valve 150 will return to normal closed position and the air blowing through the pipe 148 cut oil.

The timer 252 will ordinarily be set so as to blow air through the buck after the heavy pressure on the pressing elements has been released but while the press is still closed under light pressure.

Automatic control of light pressure release Light pressure may be released and the press permitted to open automatically under control 35 of a timer 262 which operates the valves in a valve casing 264. The valve casing 264 contains a normally closed valve 265 and a normally open valve 266 which are connected together by a spacer rod 267 so that they. operate as a unit.

' The valve 266 is formed with a valve stem 268 which extends through the end of the valve casing 264 and against which the timer 262 operates to move the valves 265 and 266. A spring 270 holds the valves 265 and 266 in normal position. It will be noted that the valvesin the valve casing 264 are similar in construction with the valves in.the valve casings 224, 244 and 254. These valves function in a different manner, however, and the only reason for constructing 150 them in a manner similar to the other valves is to obtain interchangeability of different parts of the machine.

When the timer 262 operates the valves in the valve casing 264 to open the valve 265, working fluid from a pipe 272 may escape around the open valve 265, through thevalve casing 264, and out through an exhaust port 2'74. This exhaust pipe 272 connects with the pipe 205 at a point between the orifice 206 and the valve casing 188. When the valve 265 is open to permit the exhaust of working fluid from the pipe 272, as previously described, working -fiuid will escape from the pipe 205 and valve casing 188 at a faster rate than working fluid is supplied through the orifice 206. Working fluid pressure in the valve casing 188 and diaphragm chamber 197 will thus be reduced until the spring 193 operates to close the intake valve 189 and open the exhaust valve 190. When the exhaust valve 190 opens working fluid from the cylinder 208 will exhaust through the pipe 207, valve casing 188, and past the open exhaust valve 190. The reduction in working fluid pressure in the cylinder 208 will permit the exhaust valves 57 and 62 in the valve casing 55 to open and working fluid from the fluid motors 20 and 36 is then free to exhaust through the pipes 68 and 133, respectively, and through the valve casing 55 and. exhaust port 65. When the pressure in the fluid motors 20 and 36 is thus reduced, the springs 44 and 45 (see Figure 1) will move the press into open position.

Driving mechanism for timer shaft All of the timers 222, 242, 252 and 262 are driven from a common timer shaft 280 which is rotatably and slidably mounted in bearings 282 and 284. A yoke 285 is pivotally mounted at 286 on a fixed bracket 288. The forked end of the yoke 285 fits over a collar 290 which is rigidly secured to the timer shaft 280. The plunger 216, which extends through the end of the diaphragm chamber 214, moves into contact with one end of the yoke lever 285 when pressure is supplied to the diaphragm chamber 214, as previously described. A spring 292 normally holds the yoke lever 285 in position so that the plunger 216 is in inoperative position. When pressure is applied behind the diaphragm in the diaphragm chamber 214, the plunger 216 will be thrust outwardly and the yoke lever 285 will be moved, against the tension of the spring 292, to shift the collar 290 and timer shaft 280 to engage a master clutch. The master clutch includes a driven disk 294 which is rigidly secured to the timer shaft 280, and a driving wheel 295 which is mounted on a driving shaft296 set at right angles to the timer shaft 280. The driving shaft 296 is rotatably mounted in a bearing 297 and extends into a reduction gear 298. A suitable source of power such as an electric motor 299 drives a shaft 300 which connects with the reduction gear 298. The motor 299 obtains a mechanical advantage in driving through the reduction gear 298 and obainst a further mechanical advantage in driving through the master clutch by virtue of the fact that the driving wheel 295 is of small diameter and contacts with the driven disk 294 at a point well away from the center of rotation of the driving disk 294. It is thus possible, because of these speed reducing units, to have the motor 299 very small and still obtain sumcient power to drive the timer shaft 280.

Timers for automatic operation The timers for controlling the automatic operation of the press are shown in detail in Figures 3 and 4. A roller 302 is rotatably mounted on a spindle 304, one end of which is rigidly mounted in an arm 305 which is provided with a hub 306. The hub 306 is splined on the timer shaft 280 for sliding movement thereon.

A cam housing 308 is pivotally mounted on a shaft 310 which is mounted in a supporting bracket 312. An operating lever 315 is pivotally mounted on a shaft 316 which is secured to the supporting bracket 312. The operating lever 315 is pivotally connected at 318 with the cam housing 308. A cam guide 320 is secured to the cam housing 308 by detachable means such as screws 321.

The cam housing 308 contains a cam track member 322 and a concentric track member 324, on either of which the roller 302 may ride, as will be explained later. The cam track member 322 and the concentric track member 324 are annular in formation and the outside surface of both of these track members which contacts with the inside surface of the cam housing 308, are concentric with the cam housing 308. The track 326 of the cam track member 322 is eccentric with respect to the cam housing 308 and axis of the timer shaft 280. Figure 7 shows the eccentricity of the track 326 of the cam track member 322. It is the eccentricity of the track 326 which provides the cam action to operate the timers.

The track 328 of the concentric track member 324 is concentric with the cam housing 308 and with the axis of the timer shaft 280. Figure 6 shows the track 328 concentric with the cam housing 308.

Both of the track members 322 and 324 are rotatably mounted within the cam housing 308 but the cam track member 322 is held against rotation by a set screw 330 and the concentric track member 324 is held against rotation by a set screw 332. Both of the set screws 330 and 332 are arranged to permit the track members 322 and 324, respectively, to be set in different positions relative to the cam housing 308 and relative to each other, and the range of adjustment is suflicient to change the sequence of operation of the machine if desired.

When the arm 305 is moved to the right, in Figure 4, the roller 302 will run on the track 328 of the concentric track member 324. When the arm 305 slides to the left, in Figure 4, on the timer shaft 280, the roller 302 will run on the eccentric track 826 of the cam track member 322. Obviously, this sliding of the arm 305 to the left, can only take place when the roller 302 is adjacent a portion of the track 326 which is even with or lower than the track 328 of the concentric track 324. When the roller 302 is running on the track 328, the timer will be inoperative to control the valves. When the roller 302 is running on the track 326 of the cam track member 322 the eccentricity of the track 326 will cause the roller 302 to oscillate the cam housing about the shaft 310. When the cam housing 308 oscillates about the shaft 310, the pivotal connection 318 will cause the operating lever 315 to be moved about the pivot shaft 316 to operate the valves 225 and 226 to control the automatic operation of the press.

The portion of the arm 305 on the side of the hub 306 away from the roller 302 is provided with tapered sides and this tapered portion is designated as 335. Means are provided to cooperate with the sides of the tapered portion 335 the eccentric track 326 and. vice'versa;-" When the arm 305 is in position so that the roller 302 chine the operator first depresses the pedal ,50

is running on the concentric track- 328, thercam The position of the tapered portion 3350f the arm 305, when the roller 302 is'running on the concentric track 328,-is'shown'indashed lines in Figure8. the-:timen'shaft '280' continues to rotate the arm 305, the-tapered portion 335 oh the arm 305 will come in contact with the cam guide 320 and the tapered face'of the arm 305 centric track 328 to the eccentric track 326. Only the portions'of theeccentric track-326 which extend above the coneentrictrack 328 are effective to operate the valves 225 and 226 and it is therefore immaterial ifthe roller 302 extends beyond the edge of the eccentric track 326 andover'the concentric track 328.

A shifting pin 340 is provided for sliding the arm 305 on the timer shaft 280 to return the roller 302 to the concentric track 328. This shift ing pin 340 comprises astud rigidly secured to the concentric track member 324 and extending sufficient distance therefronrto contact with the tapered portion 335 of the arm 305. When the roller302 is operating on the eccentric track 326,

as shown in Figure 4, the tapered portion 335 of the arm 305 will occupy the position shown in dashed lines in Figure 9. As the arm 305 is rotated by the timershaft 280, the tapered portion 335 of the arm 305 will contact with the shifting pin 340 and the'top side of the tapered portion 335 will act as a cam surface to shift the arm 305 into the position shown in dot and dashlines in Figure 9, in which position the roller 302 will run on the concentric track 328.

It will be apparent that the arm 305 may be shifted to remove the roller 302 from the eccentric cam track atany time. The length of time that the valves 225 and 226 will be held in operated position may therefore be adjusted by moving the concentric member 324 so as to bring the shifting pin 340 into position to shift the arm- 305 and remove the'roller 302 from the eccentric cam track 326 at any desired time.

The above description of a timer applies to any of the timers 222, 242, 252', and 262, all of which are of identical construction. All of the timers are rendered inoperative when the master clutch is disengaged by shifting the timer shaft 280 so as to withdraw thedriven disk 294 from contact with the driving wheel 295. It may sometimes be desirable, however, to render one or more of the timers inoperative without disengaging the operation of all of the timers. For example, it may be desirable to dispense with the automatic air blowing operation withc ut rendering the tim ers which control the other automatic operations inoperative. Any one of the timers may be rendered inoperative without affecting the operation of the other timers, by removing the cam guide 320 which is secured to the cam housing 308 by screws 321. When the cam guide 320 is removed, the roller 302 will run on the concentric tion on the eccentric track the timer operative.

Preferred cycle of operation I In the preferred cycle of operation of themato open the valve56 and admit-working fluid to the cylinder 20 winch closes the press under initial light pressure. After-the press has closed under initial light pressure and the piston ,71 has uncovered the port 73 the operator may start the press onits automatic cycle of. operation by depressing the handle 185 which operates the valves in the valve casing 188.

Operation of the handle 185 I 189 so that-working fluid from the port '73 in the cylinder 20 may flow through the pipe 205, valve casing 188, and pipe 207, to the cylinder 208.

When'working fluid is thus supplied to the cylin der 208 the piston 209 will be moved to the right past the port line 212 andworking fluid will then flow through the pipe 213, and valve 220, to the diaphragm chamber 214. This supply of pressure to the diaphragm chamber 214 will operate the diaphragm 215 to bring the disk 294 into contact with the driving roller 295. The movement of the 326 and thus render,

will open the valve.

piston 209 will bring the piston rod 210 into contact with the member 54, and the pedal 50 together with the valves operated thereby will be .held in operated position.

The constantly rotating drive roller 295 will cause the timer shaft 280 to rotate. The timers 222,242, 252 and 262 are set, according to the preferred cycle of operation, so that the timer 222 valve casing 224 so that workingfluid from the will operate first and operate the valves in the pipe 232may flow through the valve casing 224', V

and pipe 233 to the cylinder 234 and pressure operated means 241, and cause steam to be blown through the upper and lower pressing elements. The timer 222 is preferably adjusted so that it will permitthe valves in the valve casing 224 to return to normal position before the timer 242 operates the valves in the valve casing 244 and causes heavy pressure to be applied to the pressing elements. When the timer 242 operates the valves in the. valve casing 244 to permit working fluid to flow through this valve casing 244 the working fluid from the fluid supply line 67 will flow through the pipe 125, pressure regulating valve 126, pipes 127 and 245, valve casing 244, pipe 247, valve 249 and pipe 133, to the cylinder 36 to apply heavy pressure to the pressing elements. I p

The timer 242. maintains the press closed under heavy pressure for a predetermined period of time and then permits the valves in the valve casing 244 to return to normal position so that working fluid from the cylinder 36 may exhaust through the pipe 247 and out past the open exhaust valve in the valve casing .244.

After the timer 242 has restored the press to light pressure by permitting the working fluid to exhaust from the cylinder 36, as above described,

the timer. 252 will operate the valve in the valve casing 254 so that working fluid from the pipe 255 mayflow through the valve casing 254, and' pipe 256, to the pressure opera-ted means 151 which controls the flow of air through the buck.

When the pressure is thus suppliedto the pres- 151 willescape through the pipe 256, and out re s througn past the open exhaust valve 'in the valve casing 254.

The press is again opened by the timer 262 which opens the valve 265 in the valve casing 264 and permits working fluid to escape from the valve casing 188 through the pipes 205 and272, valve casing 264, and exhaust'nort 27a. When working fluid is thus permitted to escape from the valve casing 188 the pressure in the diaphragm chamber 197 will drop so that the spring 193 will close the valve 189 and open the valve 190. Working fluid from the cylinder 208 will then escape through the pipe 207, valve casing 188, and past the open exhaust valve 190. This escape of working fluid from the cylinder 208 will reduce the' pressure in the diaphragm chamber 214 so that the spring 292 will disengage the disk 294 from the driving roller 295, and the spring 59 will return the valves in the valve casing 55 to normal position so thatworking fluid from the cylinder 20 may escape through the pipe 68, past the exhaust valve 57, and through the exhaust port 65. The timer 262 ill turn sufficiently far, before the disk 294,disengages from-the driving roller 295, so that the valves in the valve casing 264 may return to normal position. The press is now ready for a new cycle of operation.

From the above description it will be apparent that I have provided an automatic pressing machine in which all operations, except the preliminary closing of the press, may be performed automatically, or in which any of the functions may be-performed automatically and the other functions kept under manual control.

The invention is illustrated in its preferred embodiment but various changes and modifications may be made without departing from the spirit of the invention as set forth in the appended claims.

What I claim is:

1. In an ironing or pressing machine in combination, cooperative pressing elements, one of which is movable with respect to the other; operating mechanism for the movable pressing element; operator-operated devices for supplying working fluid to the operating mechanism; means for steaming a garment placed on one of the pressing elements; control means for the steaming means; timingmechanism for automatically actuating the steaming control means to steam a garment after'the press has begun to close and stopping the steaming before the press closes in final pressing position; and operator actuated means controlling the operation of. the timing mechanism. 4

2. In a pressing machine in combination cooperative pressing elements, one of which is movable with respect to the other; operating mechanism for the movable pressing element; means to control the operating mechanism to bring the pressing elements together under initial light pressure; means for steaming a garment on one of the pressing elements; means for controlling the operating mechanism to apply final heavy pressure to the pressing elements; and devices automatically controlling the. steaming means when the press is under initial light pressure and thereafter operating the final heavy pressure control means.

3. In a pressing machine in combination cooperative pressing elements, one of which is movable with respect to the other; operating mechanism for the movable pressing element; means to control the operating mechanism to bring the pressing elements together under initial light pressure; means for steaming a garment on one of the pressing elements; means for controlling the operating mechanism to apply final heavy pressure to the pressing elements; means for causing air to flow through one of the pressing elements; and devices for automatically controlling the steaming means when the press is under initial light pressure; thereafter operating' the final heavy pressure control means to first apply heavy pressure and. then release heavy pressure; and then operating the air flow means.

4. In a pressing machine in combination cooperative pressing elements, one of which is movable with respect to the other; operating mechanism for the movable pressing element; means to control the operating mechanism to bring the pressing elements together under initial light pressure; means for steaming a garment on one of the pressing elements; means for controlling the operating mechanism to apply final heavy pressure to the pressing elements; and automatic devices for operating the final heavy pressure control means and for controlling the operating mechanism'to restore the pressing elements to light pressure after the operating mechanism has maintained them under final heavy pressure for a period of time and for automatically operating the steaming means at one of the times when the pressing elements are under light pressure.

5. In a pressing machine in combination cooperative pressing elements, one of which is movable with respect to the other; operating mechanism for the movable pressing element; means to control the operating mechanism to bring the pressing elements together under initial light pressure; means for steaming a garment on one of the pressing elements; automatic devices for operating the steaming means when the pressing elements are under .initial light pressure and thereafter for controlling the operating mechanism to apply finalheavy pressure to the pressing elements in set timed relation with the steaming operation; and means for rendering either of said automatic devices inoperative.

6. In a pressing machine in combination cooperative pressing elements, one of which is movable with respect to the other; operating mechanism for the movable pressing element; means to control the operating mechanism to bring the pressing elements together under initial light pressure; means for steaming a garment on one of the pressing elements; automatic devices for operating the steaming means; automatic operated devices for controlling the operating mechanism to apply final heavy pressure to the pressing elements in set timedrelation after the steaming operation; automatic devices for controllin the press operating mechanism to restore the pressing elements to light pressure after the operating mechanism has maintained them under final heavy pressure for a period of time; means for causing air to fiow through one of the pressing elements; and automatic devices for operating the air flow means after the operation of the press operating mechanism to restore the pressing elements to light pressure.

"I. In a pressing machine in combination cooperative pressing elements, one of which is movable with respect to the other; operating mecha-- nism for the movable pressing element; means to control the operating mechanism to bring the pressing elements together under initial light pressure; means for steaming a garment on one of the pressing elements; automatic devices for operating the steaming means; automatic operated devices for controlling the operating mechanism to apply final heavy pressure to the pressing elements in set timed relation after the steaming operation; automatic devices for controlling the press operating mechanism to restore the pressing elements to light pressure after the erative pressing elements, one of which is movable with respect to the other; operating mechanism for the movable pressing element; means to control the operating mechanism to bring the pressing elements together under light initial pressure; means for steaming a garment on one ofthe pressing elements; means for controlling the operating mechanism to apply final heavy pressure to the pressing elements; timing devices for controlling the steaming means while the pressing elements are under light pressure and for operating the final heavy pressure control means after the steaming operation and adjustment means for varying the relative timing position of one of said timing devices relative to the other 01' said timing device.

ERNEST DAVIS. 

